How to Tell When a Plantain Is Ripe?

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By Alicia Bodine
eHow Contributing Writer

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Plantains are starchy fruits that are considered to be vegetables. They look a lot like bananas, but are a little bigger and harder to peel. If you are not familiar with plantains, you will want to know how to tell if they are ripe. Plantains are very rarely eaten raw unless they are fully ripened. They taste much better cooked or in a recipe with other ingredients. In fact, when plantains are ripe, much of their starch has turned into sugar. That makes them perfect for using in dessert recipes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Plantains

Step 1

Look at the peel of the plantain. If a plantain is ripe it will appear dark brown, almost black in color. This is the best indicator that a plantain is ripe.
Step 2

Check to see if the skin is wrinkly. This is another good indicator that the plantain is ripe and ready to use.
Step 3

Press on the plantain for the final test. It should yield easily if it is ripe. If does not, let it sit at room temperature for a few more days until it does. Keep in mind that plantains do not ripen as fast as bananas. It can take them three to four weeks to fully ripen from the time they are picked.

Tips & Warnings

Peel and slice fully-ripe plantains and store them in the freezer. Then use them to make a frozen dessert or ice cream.
Plantains also taste great when cut and added to a stir fry or stew.
You can't peel a plantain as easily as a banana. You must cut off each end and then make a slit down the middle of the peel. Then you can remove the peel and use the plantain.